The following idioms and expressions are often used in the work setting.1. across the board: This refers to everything or everyone in the discussionExample: The new project was completed on time across the board.

2. at a loss: In this case, it refers to losing money when selling somethingExample: Our company sold one of its branches at a loss.

3. ball park figure: This refers to an estimateExample: This is only a ball park figure of what our new building will cost.

4. big cheese: This refers to an important person, leaderExample: We had a meeting with the big cheese of the company on Monday.

5. bottom line: This refers to a final figure,a total or a summaryExample: The bottom line is that we need to finish this project by Friday.

6. break even: This occurs when an expense is equal to the profitsExample: The best we can hope for is that we will break even on these loans.

7. buy out: A buy out refers to buying a business or shares in a businessExample: Our company bought out another smaller one last year.

8. carry over: This refers to saving for another time, or making a transfer Example: We can only carry over five sick days a year. (In this case, we refer to carryover as saving for another time)Example: If I carry over my losses to next year, we will do better financially. In this case, we are talking about transferring to another year.

9. close out: This refers to selling all of somethingExample: Macy’s is having a close out sale of all outerwear in September.

10. come on strong: This refers to harsh or excessively strong language or attitude. This includes being very direct.Example: My manager comes on too strong in meetings, so people don’t like him very much.

11. cut back: This refers to using less of something Example: We will have to cut back on our expenses for the next month.